The Best. Simply.

“BEST OF SAN DIEGO” is ubiquitous. Many publications and other sources presume to present the city’s best in various shapes and forms. Rather than launch a “Who Has the Best Best-Of” contest, here’s a look at how we do it—complete with 2005 innovations.

Per usual, we ran ballots in our February and March issues. We solicited your input—but in a new way. Rather than have you vote on preselected categories, we asked you to make up categories and supply winners. We were wary—but you came through. Reader suggestions were carefully evaluated and researched. Adding to picks supplied by our editorial team—led by contributor Amber Cyphers—we came up with 119 fun, fact-filled items.

Going one step further, we asked local notables to weigh in. News and radio personalities, politicians and professional athletes let us in on their personal “bests.” Local 8 sports anchor Kyle Kraska picks the best limo service in town. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob knows where the finest boots and Stetsons can be found. And several Chargers speak up, including running back Jesse Chatman, who knows a thing or two about beef.

ONE OF THE BETTER WRITERS to come our way of late is Shane Liddick. His first story for us was April’s “A Smuggler’s Life,” an insider look at the risky practice of carrying undocumented aliens across the Mexico border. This month, Liddick takes on an even weightier topic. In “A Church Divided,” he probes Bishop Robert Brom’s recent decision— later rescinded—to deny a gay businessman a Roman Catholic funeral service.

The story uses that flashpoint as a doorway to the compelling notion of modernization within the world’s largest religious denomination. The San Diego Diocese is a perfect microcosm of the worldwide struggle within the Roman Catholic Church, with traditionalism on one side and current-day pragmatics on the other. Liddick’s piece is a page-turner.

As always, there’s much more. San Diego Magazine president Jim Fitzpatrick writes a moving account of local doctors who donate their services in Mexico. Photographer Brevin Blach heats up the desert with summer swimsuit fashion. We also pack our bags for a Vancouver travel story, examine mistakes made at hospitals and suggest 10 new goals for the next mayor.

The best is about to be revealed. Enjoy the issue.

RON DONOHO
Executive Editor